Traces

Album review

Steve Perry really meant it when he sang Don't Stop Believin' in 1981. For a long time, the former singer from Journey insisted that he and music had broken up for good. He hid himself away for quite some time before returning with this third solo album: Traces. It’s a comeback that owes a lot to his relationship with Kellie Nash, a young woman who made him love music again and sadly passed away before her time… For Perry, Traces is a broken-hearted album, but also a tale of reconstruction, resilience and getting back on your feet. Before even listening to the record, the intriguing album cover is worth a look at. The Californian certainly doesn’t skimp on details... Welcome to the American star’s Garden of Eden!

At the front there’s an old white guitar which serves as a perch for a dove of peace, as well as a snake wrapped around a bottle of champagne. Then, on closer inspection, you see a flaming microphone hidden in the garden, electrical cables and an upside-down pin-up girl. The artist even appears to have discretely embedded himself into the landscape, with his back turned to the audience. The many (maybe too many) symbols sum up part of his career but also reflect his years of isolation. Staying true to an eighties rock style, Steve Perry’s voice is still intact. The 69-year-old dives into his feelings and seeks to take his listeners for an emotional ride. Addressing the crowd with the hit No Erasin', Perry confirms that he’s back and that he’s missed all these faces. From the soul of No More Crying to the intense final track We Fly, Steve Perry heals all wounds inflicted on the body and soul. © Anna Coluthe/Qobuz